Take Apart Bolex

Arturo Topete · June 26, 2011

I just purchased a Bolex camera for $40 and it needs some help. I wound it up and it wont run. I want to know what screws i need to remove in order to take it apart and lube and check it. I was told that i only need to remove 5 screws from the inside the spool area and the 4 on the front, but dont know which ones. I will Include pictures with numbered screws, please let me know which ones. I do have camera spanner tools and have opened up several cameras before.

Ps. I dont know if my camera is a Bolex but it looks like one.... Its missing the Nameplate. Please let me know what model it is.

Arturo Topete · June 26, 2011

Oop s sorry for the huge high res low quality pic. here's a pic of the camera

Dom Jaeger · June 26, 2011

That's a very early model Bolex, probably late 30's, as it doesn't have a frame counter.

It might well be an H8 (for double 8 film) - easiest way to check is the lens mounts will be D mount (5/8" diameter) not C mount (1"). Or unscrew and remove the pressure plate and see if the gate aperture is only half the width of the gate.

Chris Millar · June 26, 2011

I aint done this model - but start with 1 through 5, maybe 6

On the front you'll have to take off all the user interface knobs.

The inside has a light blocking paint seal around the film chamber which you'll have to crack, thing is its pretty tight so you never know if you're fighting paint or one last fastener. If you're game enough then you'll prob figure it all out :D

To replace the paint I used PVA mixed with photocopy toner applied with a syringe

Dom Jaeger · June 26, 2011

Looking at your photos again, one reason it may not be running is that the spring motor has been disengaged.

You need to flip the lever on the top left of the control side to 'motor'.

Simon Wyss · June 26, 2011

Your camera was made in 1944.

It certainly wonʼt mind care, so learn about it by opening, cleaning, and lubricating the mechanism. You first unscrew the lenses from the turret, then screws 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

NOT ONE of the others (6 through 12) !

The four turret screws are seen in its corners when looking at the camera from front. Take care when removing the mechanism from the housing because the shutter protrudes radially into the turret from inside.

NEVER try to remove the spring housing from the mechanism NOR to take the spring out of its housing. That can be very dangerous. IF you need to refresh the spring lubricant, graphite powder, DO pass the whole camera to a specialist or to Bolex International; 15, route de Lausanne; 1400 Yverdon-les-Bains; Switzerland.

Give the governor top bearing some grease. That bearing is a bit hard to reach. Give the governor bottom bearing a drop of oil. Oil all the axle bushings, one drop each. Grease the gears.

If you unscrew that slotted cap under the winding handle you get access to the spring core into which fits a winding key with square tip. I think it is of a quarter inch width but Iʼm not sure. You can wind the spring from the core while the camera is running.

Jean-Louis Seguin · June 26, 2011

Correction:

Removing screw 4 will not help. It only hold the governor bell in place.

Instead remove the screw holding the pressure plate assembly and then two screws holding the claw cover plate.

Underneath a screw similar to to 1, 2, 3, 5 will be seen. Remove that one. Then the complete mechanism can be taken out of the body shell.

Cheers,

Jean-Louis

Edited June 26, 2011 by Jean-Louis Seguin

Arturo Topete · June 27, 2011

Thank You for your replies. Tomorrow will be the day i will attempt to take it apart (Hopefully it survives the surgery) And to answer some more questions, The Lens mounts are 5/8 of and inch wide so they are "D" Mount. It has 2 lenses one is a Revere Telephoto 1:1.5" F:1.4 Zeika Optco and the other one is a Kino Plasmat 1:1.5 F12.5mm Hugo Meyer & Co Gorlitz.

I will take more photos as i take it apart.

Edited June 27, 2011 by Arturo Topete

Dom Jaeger · June 27, 2011

Did you try flipping the lever at top left to "motor" and seeing if it runs?

Arturo Topete · June 27, 2011

yes, ive tried it and nothing

Arturo Topete · July 5, 2011

I was not able to take it completely apart but i did get it unstuck by lubing the gears under the turret. it runs but is a little in inconsistent especially at higher fps. i might put a roll through it at 8fps any tips on what aperture i should use in sunlight?